St. Augustine Parish

† Please mark your calendars with the times of the Christmas Masses in our community. They will be the Children’s Christmas Eve Mass at 3:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart, 6:30 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass at St. Augustine, Midnight Mass at St. Augustine and 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day Mass at Sacred Heart. Christmas, Wednesday, December 25, is a Holy Day of Obligation when all Catholics are obliged to go to Mass.

† Another special date for your calendar is the Sunday after Christmas, Dec. 28th. This is the Feast of the Holy Family. On that Sunday we want to pray for all our families in our community.

† REMINDER: Please return your stewardship intention cards as soon as you can. Thank you to everyone who has indeed filled their cards out and turned them in.

Dear Catholic Community of Jeffersonville:

Dear Friends,

Today, December 1, the season of celebration starts. The whole world is waiting to celebrate the birth of Christ. Celebration always involves preparation. Today we begin to prepare ourselves. The more we prepare, the better we celebrate. In India we have a custom during the Advent season. Every Catholic house places an electrically illuminated star on top of the house. In a symbolic way people communicate to non-Christians that we are waiting and preparing for the birth of Christ.

By our disobedience we might have distanced ourselves from God and from our fellow human beings. Sometimes even our laziness may have distanced us from God and Church. Some people distance themselves from God and people because of some tragedy in their lives. Priests, ministers of the church, people at the church, rules of the Church, and new or old traditions of the Church might have offended some people and made these people keep a distance from God and from His Church. Whatever it may be, nothing could distance the love of God from us. Nothing can stop God from loving us. Love of God made Jesus become human like us except for sin.

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8.) The best way to get ready for the celebration is conversion of heart. We all know that the sacrament of reconciliation helps us to keep our souls clean. I can make myself available to celebrate the sacrament of reconciliation any time. Please call the parish office or email me. We will have a penance service on December 3 at St. Augustine. Secondly, charitable works can enable us to realize the mercy of God in our lives. We have many Advent projects. Please get involved and experience God’s mercy through other people.

Have a nice week!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. Anto

I will be remembering you in my prayer:
Bramer, Braniff, Braun, Brawner, Brendle, Bremmer, Brightwell, Briscoe, Brooks, Brown, Browning, Brown, Bruckert, Buckman, Burch, Burcham, Bursby, Bushau, Calabro

Religious Articles: Please stop by St. Augustine Hall on Sunday mornings during Coffee & Donuts and Faith Formation to see the religious articles that are available for sale at very reasonable prices. Mary Frederick is the manager of the shop and has crucifixes, statues, books and a variety of gift items for sale. She can even order things for you. All proceeds go to the Faith Formation Ministry. Please check it out.

Children’s Faith Formation is for children PreSchool (age 4) through grade 8 attending public or private school to help them learn the basics of their religion. Sessions are on Sunday mornings from 9:30 – 10:30 in the St. Augustine Parish Hall. The curriculum is based on Scripture and Tradition. We are always accepting new students. For more information please contact Ann Northam@282-1231or 282-0423. Registration forms and schedules are available online at the parish websites; just click on the Faith Formation tab and look for Children’s Faith Formation

We welcomed Sr. Loretto from the Archdiocesan Mission Office to Children’s Faith Formation

Monday Morning Bible Study – This study group meets at 10 a.m. in St. Catharine Hall at Sacred Heart. We welcome Bob Leonard back to resume the study on the Book of Revelation.

Wednesday Afternoon Scripture Study – meets at 1:00 p.m. in Room 8 of the St. Augustine Parish Hall. We will continue our preparation for the next Sunday’s reading as well as studying St. Luke’s Gospel.

2013-2014 Lifelong Faith Formation Schedules

Adult Faith Formation Schedule - Year of Faith Faith Formation Schedule  CFF Registration Form and Fee Schedule Sacrament Preparation Schedules R.C.I.A. Schedule of Classes & Events Confirmation 2014 Parent Letter Parent Information and Reminders Important Dates

Sacraments and Sacramental Preparation

Baptisms are typically done at the weekend Masses. Christian parenting classes are required. These are held every other month on the first and second Mondays. Contact Deacon John Thompson to register to attend.

Confessions are held every Saturday at St. Augustine parish at 3:15 p.m. Communal penance services with individual confessions occur during Advent and Lent. You may also contact either Sacred Heart parish office (282-0423) or St. Augustine parish office (282-2677) to schedule an opportunity to celebrate the sacrament.

Marriage: Please contact Deacon John Thompson at least 6 months prior to the wedding. The marriage preparation process will be explained to you at that time.

Anointing of the Sick: Communal services are held twice a year. If you are aware of an upcoming medical event for which you would like this sacrament, you may contact Susan Wheatley or Deacon John Thompson after Mass any weekend. In case of an emergency, you can contact Susan Wheatley or Deacon John Thompson on their cell phones.

Confirmation: Generally occurs with high school freshmen. Candidates must complete preparation program before the celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation. Please contact Ann Northam or Maggie Stovall.